The word Brahm is derived from the Sanskrit verb root brha or brhi, meaning expansion, knowledge or all-pervasiveness. This word is always of a neuter gender; it indicates Absolute Reality beyond the concept of male and female and all other dualities. Brahm is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent. It is the very nature of one’s true self. That Absolute Reality, that Supreme Consciousness, which is never affected by the ever-changing nature of the world, is Brahm. That which alone exists and allows the entire universe to appear within itself is called Brahm. That Brahm is no different from oneself, all of humanity is Brahm. From this point of view, all people are essentially one and the same. Placing duality and diversity within humanity is the greatest loss and realizing the oneness within and without is the highest gain.
Attaining knowledge of Brahm directly from within is called Enlightenment. The human mind is in the habit of experiencing and projecting pains and pleasures but when it is made aware of the everlasting Truth, one starts seeing things as they are. The mind identifies itself with the objects of the external world and thus places a veil between the aspirant and the Reality but the moment this self-created veil of Maya(illusion) is removed, one attains freedom. The veil of ignorance covers human consciousness on three levels, the state of waking, dreaming and deep sleep. Unless the veil over all these levels is lifted, the light of pure consciousness can not shine. Thus, permeating one’s consciousness to the state beyond and expanding it to the Supreme Consciouness is called Enlightenment. From the heights of Enlightenment, one remains aware of all states waking, dreaming and deep sleep and yet remains in the state beyond—Turiya. Before casting off his body, such an Enlightened Sage lives in the world yet remains above. He sees himself in the whole COSMOS and the whole COSMOS in himself. His self becomes the self of all.
Om Om Om……
Courtesy: Mandukya Upnishad
